Texas continues to develop its wine identity

As more and more vineyards are being developed in Texas, it appears that our state’s “identity crisis” is being resolved.

California is known for its “fruit-bomb” Cabernet Sauvignons and its “buttery” Chardonnays. Texas has tried to copy this process since wine lovers are looking for these “New World” styles.

Grape growers like V. J. Reddy, Cliff Bingham, Neal Newsom and others have been experimenting with many different grape varietals to find what grows great in our “Texas Terroir.” Terroir is a French term derived from “terre” meaning land and describes the impacts of soils, climate, altitude and other local factors in establishing unique identities in the grapes.

It takes at least three years before the grapes can be harvested for making wines. Then those grapes are made into wines with another period of time for fermentation and aging. It takes at least four years before the grapes can be determined to have that uniqueness to be great wines, sometimes even longer. What has evolved is that Texas is developing its own uniqueness on two levels being vitis vinifera (classic wine grapes) and hybrid grapes. In my humble opinion, these vitis vinifera are identifying Texas as a great wine producing dtate:

Tempranillo has been grown in Texas since 1981 with Inwood Estates leading the way with this round, fruity grape. This red wine is one of the under-stated greats with wine critic Robert Parker rating Texas’ Ts as some of the best in the world!

Shiraz (aka Syrah) is a red wine grape with wonderful fruit and some peppery attitude. This grape is “at home” in the drier regions of Texas producing wonderful food-pairing wines.

Viognier is a grape that acts like it is a Texas native producing white floral wines with peach, melon, and some citrus tones. Out of the last three years, the varietal has captured two Texas Grand Championship at the Houston Rodeo Uncorked Wine Competition. Wine critic Andrea Imner has acclaimed Texas Viognier from Becker Vineyards as the best she has ever tasted!

The new kid on the block in Texas is Roussanne (also spelled Rousanne) which is a blending white grape from the southern part of France. This grape is outstanding when made as a 100 percent varietal from Texas grapes. The wonderful peach and melon interspiced with floral tones makes this a unique Texas product.

Texas’ climate is similar to the Mediterranean climate which just happens to be where these grape varietals have flourished. Texas is growing and experimenting with other Mediterranean grape varietals, but no decision can be made as of yet since it is too early in the cycle.

However, “grape expectations” are expected from Tannats, a red, tannin-based grape from the south of France. Look for others to evolve over the next five to seven years. The Texas Department of Agriculture has helped with this research and the subsequent liaisons between vineyards and winemakers, making the Texas wine industry a $2 billion industry. The state legislature now wants to “zero out this budget” and drop completely its support of this growing industry.

The hardest step is yet to come which is to get others to try these Texas wines made from grapes that few people know about or would consider. It is called advertising and public relations.

What is needed for you, the wine consumer, to try these Texas wines? The Texas Department of Agriculture has supported the marketing efforts of Texas wines with its Go Texan program. The state legislature also wants to “zero out” this marketing effort.

Texas-Sized Wine Events

The Italians are invading Texas, taking over a part of the George R. Brown Convention Center June 3-5. More than 150 individually styled Italian wines will be available at this Texas-sized event featuring the best of Italian wines, foods, fashion, cars and more. Italian Expo tickets are $15 at the door, but are available for pre-sale online at www.italianexpo.us for just $10 until June 2 only.

Italian Expo will be open from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

WINE and FOOD WEEK in The Woodlands kicks off on Monday, June 6, with Wine Wizard and Houston Texan JARVIS GREEN leading the week of wine events. This week of wine and food is one of the top five in the USA. Buy your tickets online at www.wineandfoodweek.com or call 713-557-5732. Get your tickets while they are still available since tickets sales are ahead of last year’s record!

Ron Saikowski writes about wine and wine-related events for HERE. He may be reached at rsaikowski@comcast.net.